9 Major Styles of Plantation Shutters for You

In this blog post, we will be discussing 9 different plantation shutter styles for every room and window in your home. We’ll go over the pros and cons of each style, plus some tips on how to choose the right one for your space. There are a lot of different shutter styles out there, and it can be hard to know which one is best for your home. But don’t worry – we’re here to help!

We’ve put together a list of the 9 best shutter styles for different rooms and windows, so you can find the perfect fit for your home. From classic plantation shutters to modern shutters, there’s something for everyone. So take a look and see which style is right for you!

Full Height Shutters

Full height shutters are a type of window treatment that covers the entire length of the window frame. Full-height shutters are a great option if you’re looking for maximum privacy, as they cover the entire window. They’re also well suited to many different parts of the home, including living rooms, and bedrooms. 

Full-height shutters with louvers that cover the entire height of a window provide excellent control over the amount of light that enters the room. Full height shutters leave no gaps to ensure that no excess light comes in. This can be a great advantage in the winter months when you want to keep heat inside your property.

Pros:

• When closed, you can get complete privacy and full light reduction. 
• This style helps insulate against the cold and keeps in the heat. 
• It also blocks out noise from the outside.
• Full-height shutters are easier to install than other shutter designs.
• They are ideal for windows of any size and make great door shutters too.

Cons:

• To maximize the light in a room with full-height windows, you’ll need to open the slats or panels.
• This style of window can disguise period features like stained glass.

Suitable for:

• Key living spaces, such as bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens
• Square or rectangular windows
• New property developments

Supplier tips:

For large windows, we recommend adding a mid-rail for extra support. This will reduce the risk of warping and ensure a long-lasting fit. Mid-rails also allows for more versatility, as each half can be opened and closed independently.

Café Style Shutters

Café-style shutters cover only the bottom half of the window, leaving the top exposed. They are perfect for ground-level windows in living areas or kitchens. These shutters are a great way to add privacy to your windows while still allowing natural light to enter the room. 

They also make a great choice for commercial properties such as cafes or restaurants. The lower level of the restaurant provides a feeling of privacy for those sitting by the window. The un-shuttered window at the top allows sunlight to enter the room, making it appear bright and spacious.

There are many different styles of shutters, but café-style shutters are one of the most popular choices for taller windows. They look great as a bay window covering and also work well with windows that have a stained-glass design at the top.

Pros:

• Allow natural light to enter through the top of the window opening.
• Customizable heights allow you to choose how much privacy or design aesthetic you desire.
• They are more cost-effective than full height or tier-on-tier shutters.

Cons:

• Cafe-style shutters aren’t good for every room in the house.
• They do not offer full coverage or light blockage at the top of the window.

Suitable for:

• Cafés and restaurants
• Homes by pavements and roads require extra privacy
• Coupling with existing curtains or blinds in bedrooms

Supplier tips:

If you are looking for shutters that will provide you with the same benefits as Café Style shutters, but with the added option of being able to close the top tier for full window coverage, then consider Tier on Tier shutters.

Tier on Tier Shutters

Tier-on-tier shutters are a type of shutter that has two separate panels that can be opened and closed independently. One practical benefit of this design is that you can have the lower panels closed for privacy while still letting in lots of light through the top panels. 

Tier-on-tier shutters offer a versatile and stylish solution for Bay Windows. With their ability to filter light and provide privacy, they are a popular choice for many homeowners.

Pros:

• Able to have optional full closure for both privacy and light blockage.
• Able to fully open all panels, you can have full privacy or let in maximum light. 
• The bottom tier can be closed for privacy while the top is open to let in light or vice versa.
• This is perfect for accommodating an obstruction like furniture or a faucet that might be blocking the bottom of the window.

Cons:

• Not a good option for windows that are too small or too large.
• Installation time is longer than other styles of shutters.
• It is more expensive to make compared to full height or café style.

Suitable for:

• Sash windows
• Bay windows
• Living rooms that experience strong sunlight
• Ground floor properties that require more privacy

Supplier tips:

Tier-on-tier shutters look great on most window sizes. However, we recommend fitting them on tall windows, but we recommend using them on taller windows where the panels will be split equally. This is due to the sizes of the rails on the shutters.

Solid Panel Shutters

Full solid shutters are mostly made from a solid piece of wood, they do not have individual slats/louvers, and cover the whole window frame without louvers, making them very durable and low maintenance. They are a great choice for anyone wanting to maintain a traditional Victorian look for their windows.

If you’re looking for a shutter style that provides maximum light reduction, noise reduction, and heat insulation, raised solid shutters are the way to go. These classic shutters also complement period homes perfectly and can be found on many Edwardian and Georgian properties.

Pros:

• Full solid shutters give you the most privacy along with blocking out the most light for your bedroom.
• A great alternative to blackout curtains or blinds, providing practicality with a much nicer aesthetic. 
• Traditional in style, full solid shutters complement period properties while providing the practicality you need.
• Solid panel shutters made of hardwood provide an insulating layer that helps keep your home warm during the cold months.

Cons:

• These shutters don’t have any louvers to adjust different levels of privacy and light control.
• Full solid panel shutters provide the least flexibility, as they can only be fully open or fully closed.

Suitable for:

• Bedrooms close to streetlights
• Wardrobe doors
• Older properties

Supplier tips:

When it comes to solid panel shutters, you have a few options to choose from in terms of style and material. You can go with classic wood panels or opt for something more modern with painted panels. And within those categories, you can further customize your shutters by choosing between a raised insert or flat shaker style.

Half Solid Panel Shutters

With a solid lower half, you get privacy, security, and insulation. Yet the upper half can be easily adjusted to let in more or less light, depending on your preference or time of day. This makes half-solid shutters the perfect choice for those who want the best of both worlds.

If you’re looking for traditional shutters with a solid raised lower portion and adjustable louvers, look no further! These shutters are perfect for partially glazed doors and give you the flexibility of more light and heat when you need them.

Pros:

• Half solid panel shutters offer privacy and light control while still allowing for ventilation.
• A solid bottom section may not only look more appealing but provide a more robust shutter protecting from the wear and tear of children or animals.
• They are a great option for customers who want all the benefits of solid shutters but also want the benefits of shutters.

Cons:

• The performance of privacy, insulation and noise reduction is not as good as full solid shutters.
• Takes more time to make compared to the full solid shutter style.

Suitable for:

• Bedrooms close to streetlights
• Wardrobe doors
• Older properties

Supplier tips:

If you’re looking for a window covering that provides privacy and insulation while still allowing natural light in, a tier-on-tier solid shutter may be a good option. With this style of a shutter, you can split the panels at any height, so you can have the top panels open while the bottom ones are closed (or vice versa). 

This type of shutter works best for windows that are under 60″ x 60″ since larger windows would require heavier panels, and tier-on-tier shutters often need additional adjustments to align the panels properly.

Special Shaped Shutters

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to shutters. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to suit any window. Special-shaped shutters can be custom-made to fit any tricky window, enhancing its natural beauty. If you have a difficult window to cover, shutters are the ideal solution.

If you’re looking for ways to dress up your shaped windows, you might have difficulty finding readymade curtains and blinds that fit just right. Even made-to-measure curtains and blinds can be a challenge on circular or other non-standard windows. But shutters can show off the unique character of your home and make the most of its quirks.

Pros:

• Shutters are an excellent way to control the light in your home while maintaining privacy and blocking out noise pollution. 
• They also help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter by providing a barrier against heat loss. 
• Additionally, shutters allow for airflow in your home on hot days without letting bugs and flies inside.

Cons:

• You may have to pay an extra fee, as they require more steps to make compared to other shutter designs.
• Takes more time to make compared to other shutter style designs.

Suitable for:

• Porthole windows
• Gable Ends
• Barn and Loft conversions
• Period arched windows

Supplier tips:

There are a limited number of materials available for special-shaped shutters(depending on the shape you are looking for). PVC is often the lightest material and provides better support than other options. It is especially suitable for areas that are exposed to water, such as bathrooms.

Track System Shutters

Tracked shutters can be the perfect solution for a stylish and practical way to dress your large windows and bi-folding doors! These shutters are installed using a tracking system with a smooth running ball bearing system, providing a secure and supportive structure for the shutters to operate correctly. 

With tracking-style shutters, you can easily open and close the panels by sliding them along the track. It is a great option if you want to have complete control over the light in your home. Traditional solid-style shutters can also be installed with a tracking system, so you can choose whichever style you prefer.

There are two main track systems: Bi-Fold and Bi-Pass – both provide a comprehensive array of options, configurations, and flexibility.

Bi-Fold Shutters

Bi-Fold Shutters are hinged together or placed on a track system, with multiple panels on the track that can fold back to either or both sides at a 90° angle to the track. Whether you want to fully open or just tilt the louvers, bi-folding shutters give you plenty of options. They’re also well suited for flat windows and doors.

Pros:

• Bi-fold custom sliding window shutters can open completely, giving you an unobstructed view of the entire sliding glass door.
• Their simple, clean look provides a timeless appeal that will enhance your french doors and tall windows.
• A great way to brighten up a normally dark room and turn it into a space that is full of life and energy.
• Bi-fold doors are the perfect way to enjoy your outdoor space while still feeling the comfort of being indoors. 
• Optional 180° bi-fold to lay panels flat against the wall or free-floating panels
• Bi-fold doors offer a higher security level than other glass door types. 

Cons:

• Bi-fold shutters include a lot of frames, they can obstruct your view when closed.
• Tracking system shutters will increase the cost.
• Folding shutters are a more complex system than single-panel shutters and are therefore more vulnerable to problems.

Suitable for:

• Wide windows
• Bay windows
• Partially open (flexibility)
• Wide doors
• Room Dividers

Supplier tips:

Our range includes full height, bay windows, tracked, tier-on-tier, solid and café-style shutters, all of which can be fitted with a bi-folding feature. This allows you to fully open up your windows or doors if you need to span a large area.

Bi-Pass Shutters

They operate on a track, generally located at the top of the frame, and have a small nylon guide at the bottom to keep both panels in line. This allows for a smooth, easy slide when opening and closing the shutters.

Pros:

• The bypass shutter system is a great way to keep your louvers open while sliding or stacking, which maximizes your panoramic view.
• A stylish alternative to vertical blinds or long curtain runs. They can be mounted to cover any size and are still easy to operate.
• Bi-pass shutters are a great option for those looking for a more resilient option than bifold shutters. With fewer moving parts, there is less chance of damage or breakage. 

Cons:

• Tracking system shutters will increase the cost.
• They can obstruct your view when open, as they have to keep one panel shut if you have sliding doors with two or three panels.

Suitable for:

• Large windows or openings
• Patio doors
• Wardrobes
• Internal glass screens in offices
• Open plan spaces

Supplier tips:

Plantation shutters come in a variety of track options, the most popular being 2 track, 3 track, and 4 track. For example, a 2 track system is best used for a 72-inch wide opening. This system has two panels that operate independently on their own tracks. 

Another popular option is the 3-track system which is perfect for a 109” inch sliding glass door opening. This system also has three independent panels that each operate on their own tracks.

Blackout Shutters

The integrated blackout blind ensures that when not in use, it is hidden away neatly behind the shutter. It means that only the shutter is visible, providing a sleek and tidy look.

As the sun sets, the blackout blind is pulled down behind the shutter panels to create a barrier against outside light. This combination of fitted shutter and integrated blackout blind creates a space that is perfect for winding down and relaxing. 

Pros:

• Offer perfect light reduction with their integrated blackout blinds.
• Double up with the amazing insulating properties of shutters
• 20 different color shades to match your room and shutters.
• The single honeycomb cell structure makes it lightweight.
• The perfect window covering for the best home cinema experience.

Cons:

• They can be the more expensive option

Suitable for:

• Bedrooms and Nurseries
• Home cinema and watching live sports environments
• Lounges or Living rooms flooded by strong sunlight

Supplier tips:

The light-blocking ability of shutters varies depending on style and design. For example, a shutter with larger louvers may be more effective at blocking out light than one with smaller louvers. Or, choosing a darker color shutter can help make a room feel darker and more tranquil. Another option is our solid paneled shutters, which typically block out more light than louvered shutters.